Weekend in Review: Changes to trail after death; 'Glee' star dies

In this 2012 file photo, "Glee" star Cory Monteith attends the 2012 Do Something awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Monteith, 31, was found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver on Saturday.Associated PRess

How to get your suburban home featured on TV, in movies, or in ads

Want your home to be featured in movies, on TV, or in ads? Suburban homes are in demand right now, and while it can be a lucrative and brag-worthy opportunity for homeowners, there are some downsides, too. How do you get your home chosen? We have some tips, but in the end, "it's a lot of luck," said Timothy Tiedje who's worked on dozens of movies. Full story.

Villa Park teen rides to raise money for her rare disorder

Literally racing for a cure, Nicole Kramer of Villa Park will be using her custom bicycle to raise funds to fight the progressive disease attacking her body. Full story.

Time to 'blow up' the Metra board over cronyism accusations?

A shake-up is needed on Metra's board of directors, state lawmakers say, as a scandal over political meddling in the agency continues to snowball. "I've seen enough ... it's time to blow up the board at Metra," Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, said Saturday. Full story.

Island Lake settlement recipient's wife works for mayor

The Island Lake man who stands to receive a $20,000 payout from the village for settling a politically tinged libel lawsuit is married to the new treasurer of Mayor Charles Amrich's campaign committee, state records show. "Anytime you have one donor bigfoot an election in that way, it raises questions about whose priorities are driving the conversation," said David Morrison, acting director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. Full story.

Caution, courtesy keys to safety on mixed use trails

The death of a woman who was accidentally hit by a bicyclist as she walked around Lake Arlington is a reminder of the social compact between users that must exist on public trails for people to stay safe. "You have so many types of people ... making the assumption that since they aren't on the road, they're safe," said Jason Jenkins with the Active Transportation Alliance. Full story.

Glen Ellyn teen trains dogs to work with people with disabilities

High school student Morgan is raising her sixth puppy for Canine Companion, an organization that provides service dogs for people with disabilities. Morgan, who expects to have raised eight dogs by the time she graduates from high school, will give a presentation on service dogs at the Glen Ellyn Public Library on July 13. Full story.

New era of détente between Glen Ellyn and COD?

Glen Ellyn Village President Alex Demos is confident that détente has been achieved in the relationship between the village and College of DuPage - which engaged in a protracted and expensive legal dispute over jurisdictional matters for more than two years. "We're going to work together in every capacity," he said. "It's a beginning of a new relationship." Full story.

Time running out to stop auto business in East Dundee

When East Dundee trustees decide Monday whether to let a wrecked auto auctioneer do business in town, Barrington Hills residents will protest one more time. "Unless they can guarantee that Barrington Hills, East Dundee and Barrington Area Council of Governments residents' water supply will not be contaminated, the project should not go forward," said Marvin Husby. Full story.

Gurnee firefighters rescue man from burning home

Firefighters are crediting thermal imaging cameras with saving the life of a young man during a residential fire early Sunday morning in Gurnee. Officials said the technology helped firefighters locate the trapped and unconscious man in time to pull him from the blaze alive. Full story.

Crowds jam Food Truck Festival

Although they're still catching on in the suburbs, Saturday's inaugural Food Truck Festival at Arlington Park showed there's plenty of local demand for the mobile culinary concept. The sold-out event, which coincided with Million Preview Day and four major stakes races, featured long lines at all 10 food trucks parked on the eastern pavilion. Full story.

Changes to Lake Arlington trail in wake of death

The Arlington Heights Park District announced this weekend that it will make a few interim changes at Lake Arlington in light of the recent death of a pedestrian who was struck by a bicyclist last month. The changes come a few weeks after Barbara Pagano, 74, died after being hit by an 11-year-old cyclist while she walked around the lakefront path. Since her death, many residents have demanded changes to increase safety on the trail. Full story.

'Fake' letter offering extra credit for cash was part of history course

Stevenson High School officials say they have figured out the source and reason for a letter that surfaced on social media last week claiming students could make cash donations for extra credit and other favors. As it turns out, the phony letter was crafted by a summer school world history teacher for instructional purposes. Full story.

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